Folding top for a convertible vehicle

Abstract

A folding top for a convertible vehicle includes a rear shell component, at least one front shell component, and a central shell component. The at least one front shell component, the central shell component and the rear shell component are able to be arranged as a top over an interior of the convertible vehicle in a closed condition. The at least one front shell component and the central shell component are able to be deposited in a rear area of the convertible vehicle using a first positive control mechanism. The rear shell component can be deposited in the rear area of the convertible vehicle using a second positive control mechanism. The rear shell component is mounted on a rear element that at least partially covers the rear area of the convertible vehicle. In an open condition of the top, the rear element at least partially covers the rear shell component.

1. A folding top for a convertible vehicle, comprising:
 a rear shell component;  
 at least one front shell component; and  
 a central shell component,  
 wherein the at least one front shell component, the central shell component and the rear shell component are capable of being arranged as a top over an interior of the convertible vehicle in a closed condition,  
 wherein the front shell component and the central shell component are capable of being deposited in a rear area of the convertible vehicle using a first positive control mechanism,  
 wherein the rear shell component is capable of being deposited in the rear area of the convertible vehicle using a second positive control mechanism,  
 wherein the rear shell component is mounted on a rear element that at least partially covers the rear area of the convertible vehicle, and  
 wherein, in an open condition of the top, the rear element at least partially covers the rear shell component.  
 
   
   
     2. The folding top as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the second positive control mechanism comprises a linear guide. 
   
   
     3. The folding top as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the first positive control mechanism comprises a link mechanism, and wherein a first main link and a second main link of the link mechanism are fixed pivotably on the convertible vehicle. 
   
   
     4. The folding top as claimed in  claim 3 , wherein the link mechanism comprises a chain that includes a first four-bar linkage, a second four-bar linkage and a third four-bar linkage, wherein the central shell component is fixed on the second four-bar linkage and the front shell component is fixed on the third four-bar linkage, and wherein the first and the second main links are links of the first four-bar linkage. 
   
   
     5. The folding top as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the first positive control mechanism is drivable using a first drive apparatus. 
   
   
     6. The folding top as claimed in  claim 5 , wherein the first drive apparatus comprises a hydraulic or pneumatic drive cylinder. 
   
   
     7. The folding top as claimed in  claim 5 , wherein the first drive apparatus comprises a rotary hydraulic cylinder. 
   
   
     8. The folding top as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the rear shell component is mounted on the rear element using a linear guide. 
   
   
     9. The folding top as claimed in  claim 8 , wherein the linear guide comprises a first rail and a second rail disposed below the first rail. 
   
   
     10. The folding top as claimed in  claim 9 , wherein the rear shell component is connected in a rotatable and linearly movable manner to one of the first and second rails. 
   
   
     11. The folding top as claimed in  claim 9 , wherein the rear shell component is releasably fixable on one of the rails. 
   
   
     12. The folding top as claimed in  claim 2 , wherein the second positive control mechanism comprises the rear element and the linear guide. 
   
   
     13. The folding top as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the rear shell component is moveable relative to the rear element using the second positive control mechanism. 
   
   
     14. The folding top as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the second positive control mechanism is drivable by means of a second drive apparatus. 
   
   
     15. The folding top as claimed in  claim 1 , further comprising a third drive apparatus for pivoting the rear element. 
   
   
     16. The folding top as claimed in  claim 15 , wherein the second positive control mechanism comprises the third drive apparatus. 
   
   
     17. The folding top as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the rear element is pivotable relative to the convertible vehicle counter to the direction of travel. 
   
   
     18. The folding top as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the front shell component is disposed over the central shell component and the rear shell component is arranged over the front shell component in a deposited position, each of the front, central and rear shell components being oriented in the same direction. 
   
   
     19. The folding top as claimed in  claim 1 , the rear shell component form a C pillar, provided with a reinforcement, of the convertible vehicle in the closed condition. 
   
   
     20. The folding top as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the rear shell component is releasably fixed on the central shell component using a slotted-guide mechanism in the closed state of the folding top, the slotted-guide mechanism being shaped in such a manner that, at least during part of the opening movement of the folding top, the slotted guide mechanism forces a pivoting of the rear roof part relative to the central roof part about a virtual pivot point D disposed at a distance from the roof parts.